Irina Kagan is a violinist and music teacher currently based in Kalamazoo, MI, with almost two decades of teaching experience. As an instructor, Irina is especially interested in working with beginning students of all ages looking to study violin, music theory, or both.
Irina first picked up the violin at age four—and she never put it down. While completing multiple degrees in violin performance, Irina studied with Dr. Maria Sampen, Dr. Jo Nardolillo, Daniel Mason, and Renata Artman Knific. During this time, she also began teaching others, working first as a tutor in music theory at the University of Puget Sound, then as a Graduate Assistant in Violin at the University of Kentucky. Subsequently, she taught both violin and music theory at the Pacific Music Academy in Northern California, before becoming an Assistant Teacher at the violin studio of Professor Knific in Kalamazoo. This wealth of experience has become the foundation for Irina's own violin studio.
Irina first picked up the violin at age four—and she never put it down. While completing multiple degrees in violin performance, Irina studied with Dr. Maria Sampen, Dr. Jo Nardolillo, Daniel Mason, and Renata Artman Knific. During this time, she also began teaching others, working first as a tutor in music theory at the University of Puget Sound, then as a Graduate Assistant in Violin at the University of Kentucky. Subsequently, she taught both violin and music theory at the Pacific Music Academy in Northern California, before becoming an Assistant Teacher at the violin studio of Professor Knific in Kalamazoo. This wealth of experience has become the foundation for Irina's own violin studio.
A devoted performer as well as teacher, Irina continues to seek out a variety of performance opportunities, in a range of genres. She has enjoyed playing with groups such as Birds on a Wire (new music ensemble) and working with Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Dave Carlock. Irina's extensive experience as an orchestral player most recently includes performances with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, the Holland Symphony Orchestra, and multiple other regional symphonies.
Irina has also performed with world-renowned artists including Arlo Guthrie, Pink Martini, Mark O'Connor, Leonard Slatkin, Sara Chang, Marvin Hamlisch, Itzhak Perlman, and many more.
She loves helping people add a little something extra to their weddings and special events. Please get in touch to discuss your needs!
